Lonzo Ball made his long-awaited return to the NBA after two years, helping the Chicago Bulls beat the Minnesota Timberwolves in the preseason, 125-123.
He received a standing ovation when he entered the game in the first quarter at the 6:08 mark and immediately hits a three.
His brother LaMelo Ball was hyped up. "yeaa deuce," he posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).LONZO BALL GETS A STANDING OVATION AND KNOCKS DOWN A THREE RIGHT AWAY IN HIS FIRST GAME BACK SINCE 2022 👏🔥 pic.twitter.com/y3GRUfkdYT
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 17, 2024
Of course the whole white Bulls uniform was complemented by these "Bruce Lee Alternate" Kobe 5 kicks.yeaa deuce🕺🏽🛸💕💕 https://t.co/YNgY90XjrS
— Melo (@MELOD1P) October 17, 2024
Lonzo Ball makes his return in the “Bruce Lee Alternate” Kobe 5 pic.twitter.com/bj2eMVgluu
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) October 17, 2024
Ball only played for 15 minutes, but made sure his time on the court was worth it.
He finished with 10 points from four-of-six field goals, two of them triples, along with one rebound, one assist, one steal, and one block.
Lonzo Ball looked sharp in his return to the lineup 👏
— NBA (@NBA) October 17, 2024
10 PTS | 4-6 FGM | 2-4 3PM | 15 MIN@chicagobulls get the #NBAPreseason W. pic.twitter.com/XUlT1aAqjw
Zach LaVine, who made 19 for the Bulls, immediately went to the court after the final buzzer to get the ball for Zo.
And then this happened in the dugout.
"Today was going to be a special day regardless of the outcome. Zo back man," said Coby White, who topscored for the team with 23 points.
"It's a blessing to be part of his journey. A lot of us being here through it all, seeing the highs and lows. This was a hell of a night for him," he added.
Ball then received the game ball, along with the applause and cheers from the rest of the Bulls.
"I respect you more than anything because of what you've been through. We love you, care about you. I'm glad to see you back," the team added.
The team gave Lonzo the game ball 🥹 pic.twitter.com/ejpyeXLiFR
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 17, 2024
"Felt a lot better playing than watching," Ball told the media after the game. "I can't really put it to words."
"I was just blessed. Happy to be out there, all the support around me was great all night. Definitely a moment I won't forget."
Lonzo Ball last played a game on January 14, 2022. Then he had to undergo cartilage transplant surgery in his left knee.
It started with a meniscus tear during this time with the Los Angeles Lakers, which reoccurred "until there was no more meniscus left", he said on the The WAE Show podcast.
[ALSO READ: Zo to make comeback: How the NBA landscape has changed since Lonzo Ball last played]
Ball also acknowledged the support he had, not just from the city but also his teammates.
"To see the crowd, all the love from the city, can't replicate that in any type of way. I appreciate it," he said.
The Bulls are going to end the preseason on Saturday, October 19 (Philippine time) against the Cleveland Cavaliers. They will start the regular season next Thursday, October 24, against the New Orleans Pelicans.
